Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Honda Accord owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving 15-20 MPH, the contact became aware of an abnormal burning odor, and there was smoke coming from under the hood. The contact stated that the smoke increased while at a complete stop in traffic. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle after pulling over to the side of the road and after arriving at the residence. The contact stated that the power steering hose was leaking at the back of the engine, near the firewall, onto the catalytic converter, and onto the power steering lines. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V222000 (Steering); however, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair could not be performed because the power steering pump was an aftermarket part. …
My car is leaking power steering fluid somewhere. I can fill it to the recommended line, drive 10 minutes down the road and start having problems turning again. It is worse when turning slowly like when backing out of a parking spot and then turning the wheel to be able to accelerate in the correct direction. I have also noticed smoke coming from my car if I am sitting in park after putting fluid in, it is worse if I have my heat on. I am currently pregnant and this is my only form of transportation to be able to get my son to and from school and myself to work and every where else I have to drive to. I have almost hit parked cars because I can't get the steering wheel to turn. I am afraid that I will be driving down the road and end up not being able to turn into a curve in the road or something and end up rolling/wrecking my car. …
Clicking in steering wheel, and steering wheel very stiff. Not sure if it's the flex coupler or something else. Has been ongoing for probably 2 or 3 years. Also headliner is falling, has been lifting for a couple of years but now it's to the point where I'm afraid it'll fall on my head and block my vision while driving. This is a common issue with these older hondas Headliner needs a recall/warranty extension from the manufacturer. The flex coupler if that is the issue needs a recall or warranty extension as well. Kia has done this for their older specific vehicles with this flex coupler issue (my other car which had the same problem)
I was driving in the lane, probably around 20-25miles through the traffic. I was trying to turn little towards right but something happened in steering wheel (locked/stuck - I do not know) but the car didn't turn. The truck/van coming from other direction and my car crashed. I immediately got out of the car to safety. I was taken to emergency from the crash site. After 2nd visit to hospital I was diagnosed with a rib fracture. I reached out to Honda America regarding this and they said since the vehicle is not able to be inspected they can't do anything regarding this matter. I urge NHTSA to inquire further in 2006 Honda Accord steering issue since I survived a fatal accident, other might not be able to. If you need further details please reach out to me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda Accord. While driving at a low speed, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the steering. The contact crashed into the rear of the preceding vehicle. The driver side air bag deployed and smoke emitted from the air bag. The contact sustained neck bruises and chest injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V320000 (air bags) and 15V370000 (air bags). The failure mileage was 87,000.
Vehicle was traveling 45 MPH on Firestone, affinity tires with less then 20,000 miles on them. While traveling on dry, good pavement the right rear tire experienced a complete blowout causing the vehicle to turn violently to the left and come to a complete stop in a bar ditch. The tire was intact, but had crawled off the rim. Tire pressure was checked two days prior and was well within proper limits of the required psi. The vehicle was totaled as a result of the blowout and crash..
Upon driving the vehilce, the steering became very hard to handle. It seemed to be locked up. I tried to avoid a street sign as I panicked, but scrapped it with my drivers side rear door. I had my fiance bring me a bottle of power steering fluid after noticing the reservoir was empty. He filled it and asked me to start the vehicle. He immediately told me to turn it off because it was smoking from where fluid was shooting out of the power steering fluid hose above the rack and pinion. The vehicle was towed back to our home (5miles) because it was after local shops had closed. The local Honda shop said that my VIN didnt fall under a recall only v6 models and mine is a 4 cycl. Upon doing some searching I have found at least 6 NHTSA claims for 4 cycl. …
I took my Honda Accord e6 into darrell waltrip Honda for a recall to repair a power steering hose. I picked the car up and returned 27 miles on the interstate directly to my home. I was told the repair procedure was to take 5 hours plus oil change but it actually took less than 60 - 90 minutes. I parked the car in my garage and went upstairs into the house. About 12 minutes later the alarms went off and I found the garage and car in flames with heavy smoke. The forensics fire expert says that the fire was caused by oil that had sprayed across the back inside of the car which was ignited by the catalytic converter - probably due to a faulty repair by the mechanic or by a faulty repair procedure designated by Honda or the dealership. The fire thus far has caused more than $200,000 damages to my home plus injury to me. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, he noticed a fire had started from under the hood. The contact attempted to apply the brakes and also the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle would not respond. The contact was able to exit the vehicle without injuries. The police were contacted and the fire was extinguished by the local fire department. A fire and police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was deemed as destroyed and towed to a salvage yard. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 12V222000 (steering) one month after the fire, which advised consumers that there was a possibility that the defect could have resulted in an under-hood fire. The failure and current mileages were approximately 62,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda Accord. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, the mechanic noticed that there was a small leak in the power steering hose and the hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA campaign number: 12V222000 (steering); however, the VIN was not included. The contact also stated that the headlights became frosted, which caused the headlights to become dim. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the headlight covers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Related recalls
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL and model year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles. In May 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL vehicles.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose, free of charge. The original recall began in June 2012, and owners of those vehicles may obtain the free remedy.
Steering complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2006 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Honda Accord, 11% of the model year's 433 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › hose, piping, and connections (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Honda Accord steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-222 (hose, piping, and connections, May 17, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Honda Accord steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 5 fires and 3 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.